The commanding officer of the Rhode Island National Guard visited The Bahamas in May 2026, the latest exchange in a long-standing partnership between the United States National Guard and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF). Maj. Gen. Andrew J. Chevalier, the Rhode Island National Guard’s adjutant general, discussed regional security, professional force development and disaster response plans with Commodore Floyd Moxey, the RBDF commander, along with their senior staffs at the Coral Harbour Base headquarters in Nassau. The RBDF and the Rhode Island National Guard have been partners in the National Guard’s State Partnership Program since 2005.
Accompanied by his executive team, Chevalier arrived in The Bahamas on May 10 to attend a memorial wreath-laying ceremony for four RBDF members killed by Cuban forces 46 years ago in what became known as the Flamingo incident. The Rhode Island Guard’s military band played alongside the RBDF military band at the official ceremony.
On May 10, 1980, Cuban Air Force warplanes strafed the patrol vessel HMBS Flamingo after the ship had stopped a Cuban vessel illegally fishing in Bahamian waters. Four RBDF Marines were killed, sparking The Bahamas to strengthen its defense posture and pursue greater collaboration with the U.S.
The visit reaffirmed the deep ties between The Bahamas, the Rhode Island National Guard and the U.S., which regularly collaborates on annual training exercises and information exchanges with the RBDF. “Both parties emphasized the importance of sustained dialogue and cooperation in addressing shared security challenges,” an RBDF news release stated. “Commodore Moxey expressed appreciation for the continued partnership and support of the Rhode Island National Guard, while Major General Chevalier reaffirmed his commitment to deepening collaboration and maintaining strong ties with the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.”
Chevalier joined the Rhode Island National Guard as a second lieutenant in an attack helicopter battalion in 1991. He rose through the ranks, serving in Iraq and Kuwait with guard units, and was appointed adjutant general in February 2025. Moxey joined the RBDF as a marine mechanic in 1982. He became the RBDF’s ninth commander in May 2025. “Under the leadership of Commander Defence Force, Commodore Floyd Moxey, the RBDF is optimizing excellence by bridging generations and embracing modernization. As such, we reaffirm our commitment to the enduring relationship with the Rhode Island National Guard which enhances the effectiveness and capabilities of our personnel, assets and operational readiness,” the release stated.